Furanose derivatives

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a process for preparing furanose derivatives, to furanose intermediates used in said process and to the use of said derivatives in the manufacture of atorvastatin.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a process for preparing furanose derivatives, to furanose intermediates used in said process and to the use of said derivatives in the manufacture of atorvastatin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Atorvastatin is a competitive inhibitor of the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol in humans. It has therefore proven to be a highly effective medication for the treatment of disorders such as hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia which are conditions that are known risk factors for arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Atorvastatin is chemically [R(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid and is marketed as its calcium salt under the brand name Lipitor™.

A number of processes and key intermediates for preparing Atorvastatin are known, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,995 and US 2006/0252816.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a use of a compound of formula (I):

wherein R¹ and R² independently represent hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, haloC₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkanol, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, haloC₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl or C₃₋₈ cycloalkenyl; R³ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 to 3) R⁷ groups, C₂₋₆ alkenyl optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 to 3) R⁷ groups, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, haloC₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkenyl, —OR⁵, —X-aryl, —X-heterocyclyl, —C(R⁵)═O, —C(═Y)—O—R⁵, aryl represents a carbocyclic ring; heterocyclyl represents a heterocyclic ring optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 to 3) R⁵ substituents; R⁵ and R⁶ independently represent a hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl group; R⁷ represents a halogen, hydroxy, cyano, —COOR⁵, —NO₂, —CONR⁵R⁶, —NR⁵COOR⁶ or —NR⁵R⁶ group; X represents a bond, or a linker selected from —CO—(CH₂)_(m)—, —COO—, —(CH₂)_(p)—, —NR⁵—(CH₂)_(m)—, —(CH₂)_(p)—NR⁵—, —CONR⁵—, —NR⁵CO—, —SO₂NR⁵—, —NR⁵SO₂—, —NR⁵CONR⁶—, —NR⁵CSNR⁶—, —O—(CH₂)_(m)—, —(CH₂)_(p)—O—, S—, —SO— or —(CH₂)_(m)—SO₂—, —SO₂—O— or —O—SO₂—; Y represents an O or an S atom; m represents an integer from 0 to 4; p represents an integer from 1 to 4; in the preparation of atorvastatin.

The use of the compounds described herein as intermediates in the manufacture of atorvastatin provide a number of advantages. For example, the process is simple, efficient, and easy to operate as well as providing a good yield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term ‘C₁₋₆ alkyl’ as used herein as a group or a part of the group refers to a linear or branched saturated hydrocarbon group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl or hexyl and the like.

The term ‘C₁₋₆ alkoxy’ as used herein refers to an —O—C₁₋₆ alkyl group wherein C₁₋₆ alkyl is as defined herein. Examples of such groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy or hexoxy and the like.

The term ‘C₁₋₆ alkanol’ as used herein refers to a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by one or more hydroxy groups. Examples of such groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy or hexoxy and the like.

The term ‘C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl’ as used herein refers to a saturated monocyclic hydrocarbon ring of 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl and the like.

The term ‘halogen’ as used herein refers to a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom.

The term ‘haloC₁₋₆ alkyl’ as used herein refers to a C₁₋₆ alkyl group as defined herein wherein at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with halogen. Examples of such groups include fluoroethyl, trifluoromethyl or trifluoroethyl and the like.

The term ‘haloC₁₋₆ alkoxy’ as used herein refers to a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group as herein defined wherein at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with halogen. Examples of such groups include difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy and the like.

The term ‘aryl’ as used herein refers to a C₆₋₁₂ monocyclic or bicyclic hydrocarbon ring wherein at least one ring is aromatic. Examples of such groups include phenyl, naphthyl or tetrahydronaphthalenyl and the like.

The term ‘heterocyclyl’ as used herein refers to a 5-7 membered monocyclic aromatic ring, a fused 8-10 membered bicyclic aromatic ring, a 4-7 membered saturated or partially saturated monocyclic ring or a fused 8-12 membered saturated or partially saturated bicyclic ring containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur.

Examples of such monocyclic aromatic rings include thienyl, furyl, furazanyl, pyrrolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyranyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridyl, triazinyl, tetrazinyl and the like.

Examples of such fused aromatic rings include quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, pteridinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, azaindolyl, indolizinyl, indazolyl, purinyl, pyrrolopyridinyl, furopyridinyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzoimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzoisoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoisothiazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl and the like.

Examples of such saturated or partially saturated monocyclic rings include pyrrolidinyl, azetidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, hydantoinyl, valerolactamyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, dioxolanyl, dioxanyl, oxathiolanyl, oxathianyl, dithianyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, tetrahydropyrimidinyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, diazepanyl, azepanyl and the like.

Examples of such saturated or partially saturated bicyclic rings include indolinyl, isoindolinyl, benzopyranyl, quinuclidinyl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and the like.

It will be appreciated that compounds of formula (I) may exist in a variety of differing optical configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the compound of formula (I) has the stereochemistry shown in the following compound of formula (I) a:

wherein R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as defined for compounds of formula (I). The stereochemistry demonstrated by compounds of formula (I)^(a) provides the advantage of preparing the optimum diastereoisomer of atorvastatin which therefore results in the preparation of optically pure atorvastatin.

In one embodiment, R¹ and R² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl. In a further embodiment, R¹ and R² both represent C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g. methyl). In a yet further embodiment, R¹ and R² both represent methyl.

In one embodiment, R³ and R⁴ do not both represent hydrogen.

In one embodiment, R³ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 to 3) R⁷ groups, C₂₋₆ alkenyl optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 to 3) R⁷ groups, —X-heterocyclyl or —C(R⁵)═O.

In one embodiment, R³ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by one or more R⁷ groups (e.g. —CH₂—CH₂—NH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NHCOOCH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CONH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NO₂, —CH₂—CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, —CH(OH)—CH₂—NO, or —CH(OH)—CH₂OH).

In one embodiment, R³ represents C₂₋₆ alkenyl optionally substituted by one or more R⁷ groups (e.g. —CH═CH—COO—CH₂—CH₃ or —CH═CH—NO₂).

In one embodiment, R³ represents —X-heterocyclyl optionally substituted by one or more C₁₋₆ alkyl groups, e.g. a group of formula (i):

In one embodiment, R³ represents —C(R⁵)═O (e.g. —C(H)═O.

In one embodiment, R⁴ represents hydrogen, —OR⁵, —X-heterocyclyl or —C(═Y)—O—R⁵.

In one embodiment, R⁴ represents hydrogen.

In one embodiment, R⁴ represents —OR⁵ (e.g. —OH).

In one embodiment, R⁴ represents —X-heterocyclyl (e.g. —O—SO₂-imidazole). In a further embodiment, R⁴ represents a group of formula (ii):

In one embodiment, R⁴ represents —C(═Y)—O—R⁵ (e.g. —C(═S)—O—CH₃).

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a compound of formula (II):

wherein R¹ and R² are as defined for compounds of formula (I) and n represents an integer from 1 to 4; which comprises: (a) deprotecting a compound of formula (III):

wherein R¹, R² and n are as defined for compounds of formula (II) and P¹ represents a suitable protecting group, such as carbobenzyloxy (cbz), t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC), 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (fmoc), benzyl, p-methoxyphenyl or an acetate (e.g. —COOCH₃) group; or (b) hydrogenation of a compound of formula (IV):

wherein R¹, R² and n are as defined for compounds of formula (II).

Step (a) typically comprises a hydrolysis reaction in the presence of a suitable base, such as sodium hydroxide.

Step (b) typically comprises a hydrogenation reaction, e.g. reaction of compound of formula (IV) with hydrogen in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as Raney nickel.

In one embodiment, n represents an integer from 1-3. In a further embodiment, n represents 2.

Compounds of formula (III) wherein n represents 2 and P¹ represents-—COOCH₃ may be prepared in accordance with the following Scheme 1:

wherein R¹ and R² are as defined above for compounds of formula (II).

Step (i) typically comprises a Wittig reaction by condensing a compound of formula (V) with a Wittig reagent in the presence of a suitable base in a suitable solvent to afford a compound of formula (VI). In one embodiment, the Wittig reagent is triethylphosphonoacetate and the solvent is 1,2-dimethoxyethane.

Step (ii) typically comprises reacting the compound of formula (VI) with hydrogen in the presence of a suitable catalyst to afford a compound of formula (VII). In one embodiment, the catalyst is Raney nickel and the solvent is ethanol.

Step (iii) typically comprises reacting the compound of formula (VII) with a suitable amine, such as ammonia, to give a compound of formula (VIII).

Step (iv) typically comprises a Hofmann Rearrangement reaction by reacting the compound of formula (VIII) with a suitable halogen atom, such as chlorine or bromine (e.g. bromine) and a suitable base (e.g. sodium methoxide) in the presence of a suitable solvent (e.g. methanol), followed by hydrolysis, to afford a compound of formula (III)^(a). In one embodiment, the Hofmann Rearrangement reaction may additionally comprise an acetate salt, typically mercuric acetate, to afford a compound of formula (III)^(a).

Compounds of formula (IV) wherein n represents 2 may be prepared in accordance with the following Scheme 2:

wherein R¹ and R² are as defined above for compounds of formula (II).

Step (i) typically comprises a Henry (Nitroaldol) reaction by reacting a compound of formula (V) with a suitable nitroalkane (e.g. nitromethane) in the presence of a suitable base (e.g. sodium methoxide) in a suitable solvent (e.g. anhydrous methanol) to afford a compound of formula (IX). In one embodiment, the nitroalkane is nitromethane, the base is sodium methoxide and the solvent is anhydrous methanol.

Step (ii) typically comprises reacting the compound of formula (IX) under eliminating conditions to afford a compound of formula (X). In one embodiment, the eliminating conditions comprise reacting the compound of formula (IX) with a dehydrating agent to yield a compound of formula (X). Typical dehydrating agents include acid anhydrides and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. In another embodiment, the nitroalcohol of formula (IX) is reacted with an anhydride, typically acetic anhydride, to form a nitroester. This nitroester may then be reacted with a mild base, for example acetate salts, e.g. sodium acetate, to form the compound of formula (X).

Step (iii) typically comprises reacting the compound of formula (X) with a reducing agent in a suitable solvent to afford a compound of formula (IV)^(a). In one embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium borohydride and the solvent is methanol.

Compounds of formula (V) may be prepared in accordance with the following Scheme 3:

wherein R¹ and R² are as defined above for compounds of formula (II).

Step (i) typically comprises reaction of a compound of formula (XI) with imidazole in the presence of sulfuryl chloride and a suitable solvent (e.g. dichloromethane) to yield a compound of formula (XII).

Step (ii) typically comprises reaction of a compound of formula (XII) with potassium thioacetate in the presence of a suitable solvent (e.g. dimethylformamide) to yield a compound of formula (XIII).

Step (iii) typically comprises a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a suitable catalyst (e.g. Raney nickel) in the presence of a suitable solvent (e.g. methanol) to yield a compound of formula (XIV).

Step (iv) typically comprises reacting a compound of formula (XIV) in the presence of a suitable acid (e.g. aqueous hydrochloric acid) to yield a compound of formula (XV).

Step (v) typically comprises an oxidisation reaction by reacting a compound of formula (XV) with an oxidising agent (e.g. sodium periodate) in a suitable solvent (e.g. ethanol) to yield a compound of formula (V).

Compounds of formula (XI) are either known or may be prepared in accordance with known procedures (e.g. from D-glucose).

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound selected from:

-   1,2:5,6-Di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-(imidazole-1-sulfonyl)-α-D-glucofuranose     (E1)

-   3-S-Acetyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-thio-α-D-allofuranose (E2)

-   1,2-O-Isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose (E5)

-   Ethyl     3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-hept-5-enoato-1,4-furanose     (E6)

-   Ethyl     3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-heptanoato-1,4-furanose     (E7)

-   3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-heptamido-1,4-furanose     (E8)

-   3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-methoxycarbonylamido-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose     (E9)

-   3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-α-D-erythro-hex-5-enofuranose     (E10)

-   3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose     (E11)

and

-   3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-amino-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose     (E12)

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing atorvastatin which comprises the following steps:

(a) reaction of a compound of formula (II)^(a)

with a compound of formula (XVI):

to yield a compound of formula (XVII)

(b) reaction of a compound of formula (XVII) as defined above to yield a compound of formula (XVIII)

(c) reaction of a compound of formula (XVIII) as defined above to yield atorvastatin.

Step (a) typically comprises reaction in a suitable solvent (e.g. tetrahydrofuran and n-heptane) and suitable agents (e.g. pivalic acid and toluene) at a suitable temperature (e.g. room temperature).

Step (b) typically comprises treatment of a compound of formula (XVII) with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid.

Step (c) typically comprises a Wittig reaction involving one-carbon homologation. Such a reaction will be readily apparent to the skilled person and is described in Journal of American Chemical Society, (1977), 99, 182; Journal of Organic Chemistry, (1983), 48, 3566; and Tetrahedron Letters, (1979), 26, 2433.

Compounds of formula (II)^(a) may be prepared in accordance with procedures described herein.

Compounds of formula (XVI) are known, for example, from compounds of formula (XVII) in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,080.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples:

EXAMPLES Example 1 1,2:5,6-Di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-(imidazole-1-sulfonyl)-α-D-glucofuranose (E1)

To a stirred solution of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (250 g, 96 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (3590 ml) was added imidazole (440 g, 646 mmole) at 0 to −5° C. over a period of 0.5 h. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at this temperature and added dropwise to it a solution of sulfuryl chloride (149 ml) in dichloromethane (20 ml). After 5 h at 0 to −5° C., the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was left stirring at this temperature until the reaction is completed as indicated by thin layer chromatography (tlc). After completion of the reaction, the precipitated salt was filtered and the filtrate was washed with water (3×1000 ml). The organic layer was then washed successively with 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid (10×1000 ml), water (1×1000 ml), saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (2×1000 ml), water (1×1000 ml) and finally with brine (2×1000 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title product (E1) as a solid 320 g, yield 95%.

Example 2 3-S-Acetyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-thio-α-D-allofuranose (E2)

7.3 g (63.93 mmol) of potassium thioacetate was added to a stirred solution of 10.0 g (25.64 mmol) of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-(imidazole-1-sulfonyl)-α-D-glucofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E1) in 25 ml of dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was heated at 75-85° C. for 5 h.

After completion of the reaction as indicated by TLC, the reaction mixture was diluted with 50 ml of ethyl acetate and 25 ml of water. 25 g of charcoal was added and the reaction was maintained at 55-60° C. for 0.5 h and filtered. The filtrate was washed with water (10×25 ml) and with brine (2×25 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give primarily the title compound (E2; 7.5 g) which was subjected to the next step without further purification.

Example 3 3-Deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (E3)

The crude reaction mixture obtained by the procedure described in Example 2 containing predominantly 7.5 g of 3-S-acetyl-1,2:5,6-di-β-isopropylidene-3-thio-α-D-allofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E2) was dissolved in methanol and added to a slurry of freshly prepared Raney Nickel (prepared from nickel-aluminium alloy, 60 g) in 100 ml of methanol. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 h and filtered. The filtrate was reduced under reduced pressure to give the title product (E3) (5 g, 88%), which was subjected to the following step without further purification.

Example 4 3-Deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (E4)

A slurry of 5.0 g (20.49 mmol) of 3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E3) in 200 ml of aqueous hydrochloric acid (0.01N) was stirred at room temperature for 12 h. After the completion of reaction as indicated by TLC, the reaction mixture was neutralized by adding sodium bicarbonate and extracted with 100 ml of n-hexane to remove non-polar organic impurities.

The aqueous reaction mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate (5×100 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure at 50° C. to give 4 g of the title compound (E4).

Example 5 1,2-O-Isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose (E5)

A solution of 8.4 g (39.2 mmol) of sodium periodate in 64 ml of water was added drop wise to a cooled solution of 8.0 g (39.2 mmol) of 3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E4) in 64 ml of ethanol at 0-10° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 1 h when the reaction was complete as indicated by TLC. The precipitated mass was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure at 75° C. to a thick syrup. 100 ml of ethyl acetate was added to it and stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes until it went completely into solution.

The ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine (2×25 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (E5) (6.5 g, 96%) which was subjected to the following step without further purification.

Example 6 Ethyl 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-hept-5-enoato-1,4-furanose (E6)

11 g (49 mmol) of triethylphosphonoacetate dissolved in 16.5 ml of 1,2-dimethoxyethane was added under nitrogen to a slurry of 1.8 g (75 mmol) sodium hydride in 16.5 ml of 1,2-dimethoxyethane at 0-5° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-5° C. 6.5 g (37.79 mmol) of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose (may be prepared as described in E5) was dissolved in 33 ml of 1,2-dimethoxyethane and was added drop wise to the reaction mixture under nitrogen at 0-5° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred at this temperature for 1 h when the TLC of the reaction mixture indicated the completion of the reaction.

The reaction was quenched by adding 50 ml of water. After 15 minutes, 150 ml of ethyl acetate was added. The organic layer was washed with water (1×50 ml), brine (1×50 ml), dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure at 75° C. to give the title compound (E6) as a thick syrup; yield (9 g, 94%).

Example 7 Ethyl 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-heptanoato-1,4-furanose (E7)

A slurry of freshly prepared Raney nickel (18 g of nickel-aluminium alloy gave approximately 9.0 g of Raney nickel) in 45 ml of ethanol was added to 9 g (37.19 mmole) of ethyl 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-hept-5-enoato-1,4-furanose (which may be prepared as described in E6) dissolved in 45 ml of ethanol. The reaction mixture was stirred in an atmosphere of hydrogen at room temperature until the hydrogenation is completed as indicated by TLC.

The reaction mixture was filtered and the Raney nickel residue was washed with 18 ml of ethanol. The combined filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (E7; 9.0 g, 99%).

Example 8 3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-heptamido-1,4-furanose (E8)

A 90 ml aqueous solution of ammonia was added to 9 g (36.89 mmole) of ethyl 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-heptanoato-1,4-furanose (which may be prepared as described in E7) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 h when the reaction was completed as indicated by TLC.

The reaction mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate (4×100 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (E8; 6.8 g, 85.8%).

Example 9 3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-methoxycarbonylamido-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (E9)

4.64 g (60.5 mmole) of bromine was added drop wise at −45° C. to a cold solution of freshly prepared sodium methoxide (prepared from 2.1 g of sodium) in 50 ml of methanol. The reaction mixture was maintained at −45° C. until the colour of bromine disappeared. A solution of 6.5 g (30.23 mmole) of 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-heptamido-1,4-furanose (which may be prepared as described in E8) in 32.5 ml of dioxane and 19.5 ml of methanol was added drop wise to the reaction mixture at −45° C. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm to the room temperature and then heated slowly until the bath temperature attained 55-60° C. After 1 h at 55-60° C., the reaction mixture was neutralized with acetic acid and concentrated under reduced pressure below 50° C. to remove dioxane and methanol.

150 ml of ethyl acetate was added to the mixture and extracted with water (1×50 ml). The organic layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (3×25 ml), water (3×50 ml), brine (1×50 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the Hoffman rearranged title compound (E9; 4.5 g, 61%).

Example 10 3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-α-D-erythro-hex-5-enofuranose (E10)

2.1 ml of nitromethane was added to a solution of 2.1 g (12.2 mmole) of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-erythro-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose (which may be prepared as described in E5) in anhydrous methanol at 0-5° C. 2.1 g (38.87 mmole) of sodium methoxide was then added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 0.5 h at 0-50 C. The reaction mixture was allowed to attain room temperature. After 2 h at room temperature, the reaction mixture was neutralized with glacial acetic acid and concentrated under reduced pressure to remove methanol.

Ethyl acetate (60 ml) was added and extracted with water (1×30 ml) and brine (1×30 ml). The organic layer was then washed with a solution of saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate (3×30 ml), finally with brine (1×30 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and then filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude 2.4 g diasteriomeric mixture of the following compound:

which was subjected to the following step without further purification.

3.4 g of sodium acetate was added at room temperature to 1.7 g (7.3 mmole) of the crude diasteriomeric mixture prepared as described above and 10 ml of acetic anhydride. The reaction mixture was heated slowly until the bath temperature attainted 60° C. After 2.5-3 h at 60° C., the temperature of the reaction mixture was again raised to 75-80° C. After 0.5 h at this temperature, the reaction mixture poured into an ice-cold solution of 20 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate in 200 ml of water, stirred for 1 h and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×15 ml). The extract was washed with a solution of saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate (3×15 ml), water (3×15 ml), brine (1×15 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 1.4 g of the title compound (E10) as an oil.

Example 11 3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (E11)

0.75 g (19.82 mmole) of sodium borohydride was added at 0-5° C. to a stirred solution of 1.4 g (6.51 mmole) of 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-α-D-erythro-hex-5-enofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E10), in 20 ml of methanol. After 10 minutes at 0-5° C., 1 ml of water was added to the reaction mixture to quench the reaction and was acidified with 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to remove methanol followed by extraction with ethyl acetate (3×10 ml).

The extract was washed with 5% aqueous hydrochloric acid (3×5 ml), water (1×5 ml), saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1×5 ml), water (1×5 ml) and brine (1×5 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 0.6 g of the title compound (E11).

Example 12 3,5,6-Trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-amino-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (E12)

Procedure A

A slurry of 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E11), in ammonia was hydrogenated over Raney nickel catalyst under pressure to give the title compound (E12).

Procedure B

35 ml of sodium hydroxide (1 N) was added to 3.5 g (14.29 mmole) of 3, 5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-methoxycarbonylamido-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E9) at room temperature and then heated slowly until the bath temperature attained 80-85° C. After 10 h at 80-85° C., the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then extracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 ml, 3×50 ml). The combined ethyl acetate was dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (E12; 2.0 g, 74%).

Example 13 3,5-Dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide]-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (E13)

To a solution of 3,5,6-trideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-amino-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E12) (0.6 g, 3.21 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) was added at room temperature (±)-4-fluoro-α-[2-methyl-1-oxopropyl]-γ-oxo-N, β-diphenylbenzenebutaneamide (compound XVII in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,080) (1.0 g), pivalic acid (0.32 g, 3.13 mmol), toluene (5 ml) and n-heptane (20 ml).

The reaction mixture was then heated slowly to reflux with azeotropic removal of water. After completion of the reaction as indicated by tic (thin layer chromatography) (usually takes 24 h-30 h of reflux), the reaction mixture was allowed to cool down to room temperature; ethylacetate (50 ml) and water (25 ml) were added to effect separation of both layers.

The organic layer was extracted with sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (3×50 ml), water (3×50 ml) and finally with brine (1×50 ml); dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (E13) (1.5 g).

Example 14 3,5-Dideoxy-6-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide]-(α and β)-D-erythro-hexofuranose (E14)

An aqueous solution of trifluoroacetic acid (2 ml), (TFA:Water, 1.5 ml:0.5 ml) was added at 0-10° C. to 3,5-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N, 4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide]-α-D-erythro-hexofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E13). On completion of the reaction as indicated by tic (thin layer chromatography) (4 h at 0-10° C.), the reaction mixture was diluted with cold water and then neutralized with solid sodium hydrogen carbonate. The precipitated solid was filtered, slurried with n-hexane and then filtered. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and was extracted with water (2×25 ml) and finally with brine (1×25 ml); dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (E14)(0.4 g).

Example 15

[R—(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid (E15)

The title compound (atorvastatin; E15) may be prepared by subjecting 3,5-dideoxy-6-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide]-(α and β)-D-erythro-hexofuranose (which may be prepared as described in E14) to a Wittig reaction involving one-carbon homologation. Such a reaction will be readily apparent to the skilled person and is described in Journal of American Chemical Society, (1977), 99, 182; Journal of Organic Chemistry, (1983), 48, 3566; and Tetrahedron Letters, (1979), 26, 2433. 

1. Use of a compound of formula (I):

wherein R¹ and R² independently represent hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, haloC₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkanol, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, haloC₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl or C₃₋₈ cycloalkenyl; R³ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by one or more R⁷ groups, C₂₋₆ alkenyl substituted by one or more R⁷ groups, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, haloC₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkenyl, —OR⁵, —X-aryl, —X-heterocyclyl, —C(R⁵)═O, —C(═Y)—O—R⁵, aryl represents a carbocyclic ring; heterocyclyl represents a heterocyclic ring optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 to 3) R⁵ substituents; R⁵ and R⁶ independently represent a hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl group; R⁷ represents a halogen, hydroxy, cyano, —COOR⁵, —NO₂, —CONR⁵R⁶, —NR⁵COOR⁶ or —NR⁵R⁶ group; X represents a bond, or a linker selected from —CO—(CH₂)_(m)—, —COO—, —(CH₂)_(p)—, —NR⁵—(CH₂)_(m)—, —(CH₂)_(p)—NR⁵—, —CONR⁵—, —NR⁵CO—, —SO₂NR⁵—, —NR⁵SO₂—, —NR⁵CONR⁶—, —NR⁵CSNR⁶—, —O—(CH₂)_(m)—, —(CH₂)_(p)—O—, S—, —SO— or —(CH₂)_(m)—SO₂—, —SO₂—O— or —O—SO₂—; Y represents an O or an S atom; m represents an integer from 0 to 4; p represents an integer from 1 to 4; in the preparation of atorvastatin.
 2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (I) is a compound of formula (I)^(a):

wherein R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as defined in claim
 1. 3. Use according to claim 1, wherein R¹ and R² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl.
 4. Use according to claim 2, wherein R¹ and R² both represent methyl.
 5. Use according to claim 1, wherein R³ represents C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by one or more R⁷ groups, C₂₋₆ alkenyl optionally substituted by one or more R⁷ groups, —X-heterocyclyl or —C(R⁵)═O.
 6. Use according to claim 5, wherein R³ represents —CH₂—CH₂—NH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NHCOOCH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CONH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NO₂, —CH₂—CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, —CH(OH)—CH₂—NO₂, —CH(OH)—CH₂OH, CH═CH—COO—CH₂—CH₃, —CH═CH—NO₂, C(H)═O or a group of formula (i):


7. Use according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ represents hydrogen, —OR⁵, —X-heterocyclyl or —C(═Y)—O—R⁵.
 8. Use according to claim 7, wherein R⁴ represents hydrogen, —OH, —C(═S)—O—CH₃ or a group of formula (ii):


9. A process for preparing a compound of formula (II):

wherein R¹ and R² independently represent hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, haloC₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkanol, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, haloC₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl or C₃₋₈ cycloalkenyl; and n represents an integer from 1 to 4; which comprises: deprotecting or hydrolyzing a compound of formula (III):

wherein R¹, R² and n are as defined for compounds of formula (H) and P¹ represents a suitable protecting group, such as carbobenzyloxy (cbz), t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC), 9-fluorenylinethyloxycarbonyl (fmoc), benzyl, p-methoxyphenyl or an acetate (—COOCH₃) group.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A process for preparing atorvastatin which comprises the following steps: (a) reacting of a compound of formula (II)^(a)

with a compound of formula (XVI):

to yield a compound of formula (XVII)

(b) reacting of a compound of formula (XVII) to yield a compound of formula (XVIII)

(c) reacting of a compound of formula (XVIII) to yield atorvastatin. 